Spitball Army

[Written to Alice in Frankfort, Indiana. Return addressed: Richard, Plt. 622, R.D.M.C.B., San Diego 41, Calif. Postmarked in San Diego, Calif., on 23 June 1944 at 11 AM.]

June 22, 1944

Hi Sweetheart,

     I love you.  Believe it or not.  I mean, believe it or not I’m going to try and answer some of your questions.  I’ll just pick up a letter and start answering questions.  Here we go.

     I am a squad leader, and I’m just a go-between for the instructor.  He gives orders and the squad leaders give them to everybody else in the plattoon.  We are treated no different from anyone else and we get nothing for it except experience.  We have more work to do than the others but we don’t have to do the dirty jobs.  We just tell someone else to do them.  Pretty nice, huh?  Next — no I haven’t gambled what-so-ever and, to my knowledge, I haven’t done anything that you asked me not to.  Next — yes, I’m proud of you.  I love you.  Next — I don’t think you should come in the plane or car.  I think you should stay home and wait for me.  Well, that takes care of 2 letters.  Now let’s see what questions you have in the next two.  #1 — Whether you can find a place to stay or not, I wish you would stay home and wait for me.  I doubt if you’ll understand what I feel.  I don’t know exactly what it is myself.  I want to spend those few days around the places I like to remember.  That’s about all I can say for it.  #2 — I don’t know anymore as to when Boot Camp is over than you do.  I imagine it will be around the first of August.  Unless I am made a D.I. (Drill Instructor) or one or two other things (I don’t know what they are), I will get my furlough just as soon as I get out of here.  I don’t think I’ll get any of those jobs because I’m not qualified for any of them.  #3 — I can’t find the time or the way to send my mail back, so I’m throwing it away as soon as I answer it.  I hope you don’t mind; I can’t keep it here.  It is the best thing I can do as I see it.  I hate to but because I would like to keep your letters.  There’s nothing I can do about it though.  #4 — O.K., I’ll pay you in kisses since I can’t be there to rub your sunburn.  You are getting gyped.  You know that don’t you?  #5 — That stuff for your gums is Hydrogen Peroxide.  You can get it at any drug Drug Store.  Mix it half and half with warm water and then hold it in your mouth.  #6 — I do want you, Sweetheart, for the rest of my life.  And I want to spend my furlough with you in Indiana.  I hope we can go on and make a success of our marriage.  Well, Sweetheart, that just about answers all your questions.  At least it answers all the questions in your last 6 letters.  I don’t have any before the 15th.

     I’ll have to be going now.  I love you, Sweetheart.  I know we will be happy.  Please wait in Indiana for me.

     Good-night Sweetheart
          I love you with all my heart.
               x x
                    ‘Nite
                         x x

     I love you.